August 2020
April 2020
Virus-Detecting Dogs
The news has been a-buzz these last few days with articles on Coronavirus-detecting dogs. Medical Detection Dogs, a British charity that specialises in training Medical-Alert Dogs and Bio-Detection Dogs, has started training dogs to use their sense of smell to detect COVID-19. What is a Bio-Detection Dog? A Bio-Detection Dog is one that has been trained to detect the scent of certain diseases in biological samples. So far, dogs have been...March 2020
A Guide to Life with your Dog during Quarantine
The world has been hit hard by COVID-19. These past few months have been difficult and frustrating. We’ve all had to adapt to lockdowns, quarantine, and social distancing. One bright side of having to stay home is that you can spend more time with your dog . . . but what happens if you’re in quarantine? Quarantine typically lasts around 14 days, but with a bored dog that time...
Coronavirus: The Most Recent News
On our last update we wrote of a dog in Hong Kong testing positive for COVID-19 (the new Coronavirus strain).Although further tests may be needed, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that “to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19.” Information on the tests Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) took samples from the elderly Pomeranian’s nose and mouth, and also tested...
Coronavirus and dogs: An update
The Report There have been reports of a dog in Hong Kong testing positive for COVID-19 (the new Coronavirus strain). The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed that the result of the test was a weak positive. This means that low levels of the virus were found. It is uncertain if the dog is actually infected, or if it picked up the virus from a contaminated surface. The dog belonged to...February 2020
Coronavirus and your dog
One of the biggest events of 2020 so far is the Coronavirus outbreak in Asia. The worst outbreak has been in China, though a few people in other countries have been affected too. There are guides and protocols in place for humans, but what about man’s best friend? Are dogs at risk from this disease, or is the hysteria completely unfounded? What is Coronavirus? Named for the crown-like projections on their...October 2019
Addison’s Disease in Dogs
Addison’s disease, also called Hypo-Adrenocorticism, is a very serious disease that affects dogs (though humans can also suffer from this condition). Fortunately the condition can be treated, but it is important to know the symptoms and risks of the disease, and which dog breeds are more likely to develop it.September 2019
Dog Food Allergies
Imagine the situation: your dog is itching like crazy. They’ve lost huge chunks of fur, and their skin is looking raw. Maybe they have an ear infection, or puffy eyelids. You’ve treated your pet for fleas and ticks, but the itching continues, and you’re at your wit’s end. Don’t lose hope! It could be that your dog has a food allergy. What is a food allergy? A true food allergy (also...May 2019
Bloat
What is bloat? Also called Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) or twisted stomach, bloat is an acute, life-threatening condition that affects dogs. The disease progresses as follows:The stomach fills with gas, and becomes too stretched. The gas build-up means that the pressure inside the stomach increases, which can cause the stomach to rupture. At the same time, the increased pressure makes it difficult for blood to return from the...April 2019
Puppyhood sicknesses
Getting a puppy should be a happy time: after all, you’re getting a new, very cute family member. Unfortunately, this happy time may be marred by the shadow of illness. Puppies’ immune systems aren’t as strong as those of adult dogs, who have had time to develop an immune system and also have the benefits of vaccination helping them. This means that puppies are more at risk of getting...
The Pros of Socialisation
What is socialisation? Socialisation is a process where puppies learn about the world around them, and how to live in it. In their first few months of life, puppies will learn to cope with all sorts of new situations: everything from meeting new people and dogs, to the hustle and bustle of city life. What’s so important about socialisation? Puppies are a wonderful mixture of energy, curiosity, and inexperience. They know very...
